Curanderas, women who heal, have existed since time immemorial. Even in our modern era, their presence remains potent and indispensable.
These chosen individuals believe in a divine calling, affirming their worthiness through dedication to God. Recognized as saints by the Catholic Church, curanderas command great respect. They have been granted by God’s grace, to intercede on behalf of mortals seeking divine blessings.
For curanderas, their mission is not merely a profession; it’s a sacred duty bestowed from above – a commitment to carry out God’s healing work on earth.
In line with Catholic teachings, saints are viewed as intermediaries who present petitions to God. Invoking their names doesn’t replace direct prayer but reinforces it. Infusing intentions with a deeper meaning. The saints, akin to trusted friends, play a pivotal role in helping curanderas to alleviate the ailments of their patients.
Curanderismo, synonymous with healing, encompasses specific techniques deeply rooted in the Hispanic tradition. This art of healing incorporates folk medicine beliefs, rituals, and practices, addressing the psychological, spiritual, and social needs of traditional communities.
The Power of Rituals in Healing: A Personal Journey
In the tapestry of our lives, daily rituals form the threads that weave together our experiences. Rituals, in their essence, are responses, sources of rejuvenation, and pillars of reassurance. As one researcher aptly puts it, rituals echo “the crucial values of the believing community.” At their core, rituals are manifestations of faith, perpetuating a system of beliefs.
Healing ceremonies, often led by curanderas, stand as poignant examples of rituals that honor and reinforce beliefs. These rites, irrespective of cultural origins, repeatedly validate the belief systems when individuals experience healing.
It’s crucial to recognize that curanderas, while integral to the healing process, are just facilitators. The ultimate responsibility for your well-being lies within, encompassing the physical, emotional, and spiritual realms.
Amidst moments of intense pain or discomfort, your body becomes a messenger, revealing profound insights into what you need to heal. Listen to these subtle cues, whether from the quiet voice within or intuition that guides you.
Weeks before an upcoming trip, I started having anxiety dreams about a malfunctioning truck which was disturbing my sleep. One morning, I quietly asked for guidance. Immediately, my inner voice offered a simple yet profound message – “stay in the present moment.” Instantly, my fear dissipated, and my anxiety melted away. This message was a potent reminder of the wisdom that resides within, waiting to guide us through life’s uncertainties.
Embracing Self-Healing: The Wisdom of Medicine Women and Curanderas
The notion that you can heal yourself is a powerful and empowering belief. But what, then, causes sickness? In simple terms, anything that disrupts the delicate balance of living. True healing, it seems, lies in restoring that equilibrium.
Across Native American and Hispanic American societies, the authority of tradition and credibility is bestowed upon medicine women and curanderas. These healers earn legitimacy within their communities through a combination of skill, spirituality, religious insight, and an unblemished reputation.
Annie Kahn is pictured here. She is a Navajo Indian medicine woman and lives in Arizona.
In defiance of stereotypical roles assigned to women, medicine women and curanderas have emerged as trailblazers and pathfinders. Essentially serving as the feminists in their respective universes. This new generation of curanderas are the restorers of integrity, harmony, balance, and health to those who are ailing.
A Rich Array of Healing Modalities
The methods employed by curanderas is prolific. Ranging from herbs, massage, energy work, and dietary adjustments to sweat lodges, hot springs, fasting, saging, meditating and more.
Relying on natures’s wellspring of remedies is bringing about health in its most purest form.
Portions of this wellspring have been used throughout Western medicine, mostly through male energy. The theme involved treating symptoms rather than addressing the root cause. Symptoms, seen as indicators rather than the problem itself, should prompt a response of looking at the whole body.
We know drugs have played a pivotal role in alleviating symptoms and stopping pain. However, they often only offer temporary relief, delaying the arrival of true health. The emergence of a new/old era beckons us to move beyond symptom-focused treatment. It’s time to delve into a more holistic examination of the entire being – emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual.
Rediscovering Nature in a Technological Age
Now, as we stand at the precipice of a new era, it’s imperative that we forge fresh narratives and construct myths that resonate with the evolving values of our culture. We must weave tales that highlight women’s medicinal values and prepare both women and the world for the integration of these values.
In our age of relentless technology, the gulf between humanity and nature has widened. Our dependence on technology has left us physically and mentally soft. It’s time to rebuild the muscles – not just of the body but of the mind as well.
Nature, our eternal teacher, offers profound lessons on living in harmony. We are, after all, an integral part of nature, composed of its very essence.
As we navigate this intersection in our existence, our commitment to reconnecting with nature will play pivotal roles in shaping a healthier and more balanced future.
Nurturing Health in Challenging Times
Challenges are abundant, and the world often pulls us away from the path of well-being. The allure of empty, chemically-manufactured foods, polluted or lifeless water, and the air we breathe laced with toxins creates an overwhelming environment.
Many of us are experiencing problems with our gut. Me Too. The core of our well-being, seems to be under attack. No wonder, since our bodies are ingesting artificial, synthetic food products and other toxins that are essentially foreign and unusable. This, in turn, results in our cells burdened with unburned food residues, impeding the body’s natural channels of nourishment and elimination.
To be honest here, I do try to eat only organic but sometimes organic is hard to find. I bought a water filter which seemed to help tremendously! At least, I wasn’t vomiting as much, However, I was still nauseas all the time. 24/7. Then I learned about this product called ASEA Redox Cell Signaling Supplement. All that is in this product is sodium chloride and water.
That’s it.
Our body has this in it too. This formula rearranges the cells in our body to start acting right. It took about 3 months before my stomach quit hurting. I am no longer nauseas. My energy has soared because this complication has cleared in my body. Also, aches and pains seem to be a thing of the past. It’s so true, all disease begins in the gut. We need to keep that valve open and clean. There are many avenues for clearing health issues, you just have to find the one that you resonate with.
Through a commitment to character, perseverance and ingenuity your human spirit can thrive in overcoming the many adversities that are being thrown at you right now. Maintaining your gut health should be priority in these times of major change.
Legacy of Longevity: Dr. Hazel Parcells
Another curandera that was full of character, perseverance and ingenuity lived in the quiet enclave of Sapello, New Mexico. Dr. Hazel Parcells was a pioneer that understood the importance of nutrition and holistic health. Remarkably, she graced this world for 106 years, leaving behind a legacy that transcends time.
Dr. Parcells, a beacon of wisdom, shares an intriguing revelation: the elusive Fountain of Youth is not a distant quest but an inherent part of our being. In her words, “We carry the Fountain of Youth around with us all the time.” In her teachings, Dr. Parcells emphasizes the pivotal role of glandular health in nutrition. The actions of our glands, intricately intertwined with our dietary choices, play a crucial role in sustaining equilibrium. When these elements work in unison, they create a harmonious symphony of balance throughout the entire body.
Therapeutic baths are one of many solutions that create harmony throughout the body that Dr. Parcells suggests for ridding the body of toxins. This soaking and ridding of toxins raises your frequency so that everyone around you in affected in a positive manner.
The Healing Art of Therapeutic Bathing
Therapeutic bathing, in essence, is a cleansing ritual, another pathway toward healing. It mirrors the increasing popularity of hot springs, where people seek the benefits of natural water sources. Since 65% of body cleansing occurs through the skin, Dr. Parcells emphasizes the importance of liberating the body from toxic stressors, allowing it to function optimally.
The mechanics behind this purification process are simple yet profound. Hot water draws toxins to the skin’s surface, and as the water cools, toxins are expelled through osmosis. Nature’s inherent principles, with the cool water’s weak energy drawing from the body’s health fortified by hot water, orchestrate this cleansing symphony.
One of my favorite soaks involves dissolving a pound of sea salt or rock salt (epsom salt is a suitable alternative) and a pound of baking soda in a tub of water as hot as you can tolerate. The duration of the bath extends until the water cools. Afterwards, it’s essential to abstain from showering for at least eight hours afterward.
This specific bathing formula is recommended for those exposed to environmental radiation or excessive x-rays, manifesting in symptoms like general muscular aches, nausea, headaches, or disturbances in balance. Dr. Parcells extends her therapeutic bathing repertoire with suggestions for three additional types of baths mentioned in her book, Healer: The Pioneer Nutritionist and Prophet, Dr. Hazel Parcells written by Joseph Dispenza.
Becoming Your Own Personal Curandera
The ladies mentioned in this article are self-sufficient and happy. I feel we all have this capability. I’m sure that is why I was drawn to Jin Shin Jyutsu. Jin Shin Jyutsu has been a rewarding, ethereal and healing experience for me. Over the years, I built up practices in several communities. Teaching others how to be their own curanderas. Learning how to tune into your body’s wisdom as well as listening to your body’s signals—feeling, understanding, and responding to its needs. Your life will never be the same again.
Taking charge of your health can indeed require time and effort, but the benefits often outweigh the costs. By actively participating in your own well-being, you gain a sense of empowerment and control over your life. I encourage you to start discovering your Health Path today by clicking on the link above.
In closing, I also invite you to unlock nature’s ancient truths. Try chanting the Navajo mantra below—-it is meant to begin your day in harmony with the healing forces of nature.
I walk in beauty. It is beauty we begin to walk with. It can be trusted. It will be revealed to you in your dreams or you will see it yourself, your ears will hear it. You’ll be guided to understand.
Footnotes: Medicine Women, Curanderos, Women Doctors by Perrone, Stockel and Kruger- You might be able to find this book at your local library